]]>One of the first conclusions our DNA study has reached is that there are numerous unrelated Mac Pháidín lineages. Of the 33 Mc- results that have been processed so far, there are a minimum of 10 completely separate lines. Given the common assumption that most people who share a surname are related, this would seem to be a surprisingly high number. But is it? Should everyone with the same last name expect to be related? It turns out the answer is actually no. Here are some reasons why most McFaddens are probably not related:

1. Gaelic Clans Weren’t Just One Big Family

A common myth is that ancient Irish and Scottish clans were primarily composed of the descendants of one man. A powerful warrior or king would produce a large family and, after several generations, the numerous offspring would have formed a clan. But of course that doesn’t really make much sense. Clans were not started by individuals, but by groups of families. They would band together not necessarily because they were related, but for protection and the sharing of resources. Large clans would include numerous families stretched throughout a fairly significant geographic area. It would have been common for families to join an existing clan, and for clans to merge. So while the namesake of a clan may have been one particular man, and a line of chiefs may have been descended from that one man, it’s unlikely that most men in your average clan were of the same lineage. This is especially true in older clans that were formed before hereditary surnames even existed.

Evidence of this can be found in the Clan Donald DNA project. The MacDonalds were one of the most prominent clans in Scottish history and today there are several men who can trace their descent back to the clan’s namesake. These living chiefs have successfully proven their relation through DNA testing. But what also came to light through DNA testing is that a majority of MacDonald men are not of the same lineage as the chiefs.

In terms of the McFadden project, this means that we would actually expect there to be multiple McFadden lineages. It also means that while we have a number of genetically unrelated lineages, they could all still have theoretically originated with the same ancient clan.

2. Illiteracy, Accents, and Anglicization Mixups

Illiteracy was prevalent in both Scotland and Ireland during the time that surnames began to emerge and continued to be common in some areas well into the 19th century. If a person was illiterate, the spelling of their name would be irrelevant. It could even be said that their name had no spelling at all and only existed orally. A few centuries of names being passed down by word-of-mouth alone meant that when government records began in the mid-1800s and the spelling of names became more stable, many people of the same lineage ended up with differently spelled surnames. This is where you get McFadden and MacFadyen and McFadien, etc.. But more importantly, some similar surnames became confused with each other as the distinction between them was blurred or eliminated entirely. An Ó Peatáin and a Mac Pháidín may have both ended up as Pattons or Padens or McFaddens.

Another issue was the forced anglicization of Gaelic names. A good example of this can be found by looking at the surname Lee in Ireland. The reason Lee is such a common Irish name is because it actually represents a number of different Gaelic names. Distinct surnames like Ó Laoidhigh, Mac Laoidhigh, Mac an Leagha, and Mac an Giolla Eachaidh are all sources for Irish people who today are all called Lee.

We haven’t yet seen evidence of these mixups in our project, but we should expect them to eventually emerge.

3. Adoption and Infidelity

The first thing that comes to mind when people find that lineages don’t match is that there must have been an adoption or infidelity somewhere along the line. While these things aren’t quite as prevalent as people assume, they are certainly not rare. We already have in our small project men with the surnames Hogan and Holmes that we strongly believe to be descended from McFadden lineages. It would make sense that some McFaddens would in turn be descended from other lines.

4. There May Have Been More Than One “Little Patrick”

The name Mac Pháidín or Mac Páidín means “son of little Patrick.” Everyone loves to ask themselves who the original Patrick might have been, but maybe instead we should be asking ourselves about the original Patricks! Patrick is a very old name and wouldn’t have been that unique in the late Middle Ages. It could easily be the case that there were multiple clans with the same name. This is something that will be difficult to prove or disprove, but it may be possible to provide some evidence either way as our project grows.

4. Not Everyone Took On a Surname in the Middle Ages

Some of the earliest hereditary surnames in Europe originated with the Gaels of Ireland and Scotland, but not every Irish or Scottish family adopted them at the same time. A few Scottish families were still using patronyms as late as the early 19th century. This means there’s a fair chance that some of today’s Mac Phaidins only settled on their name relatively recently, which would significantly lower the chances that they were of another, older lineage.

A more sobering example of surnames being adopted in modern times can be found in America, where there are numerous McFadden families that acquired their surnames during or after the time that they were enslaved. We have at least one documented example where freed slaves took on the surname McFadden because it was the name of the family that owned them. It is unclear how many black McFaddens might be descended from the Irish and Scottish lineages, but it is certainly common for black Americans in general to carry significant European DNA. Our project is open to any and all McFaddens and we hope additional participants will help us tackle this issue.

5. Miscellaneous (Names Change!)

One of the better known McFaddens around the turn of the century was boxer George “Elbows” McFadden. Elbows was known for, you guessed it, using his elbows (fairly or otherwise). George was an accomplished fighter who defeated several men that had been or would later be lightweight champions of the world. Are you proud to share a name with Elbows? You should be! But here’s the thing – George’s name at birth was actually Michael J. Crotty. George McFadden was a stage name.

The simple truth is that people have changed their names for any number of reasons throughout history and some of them may have changed to McFadden.

Summary

There have inevitably been countless sources for any particular surname. This means that for most surnames, including McFadden, most people bearing the same name today should not expect to be related. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean there is no connection whatsoever. The goal of this project is to sort out all the various lineages and figure out where they come from. It should make for a fascinating journey.

]]>When people express an interest in joining this project, I usually recommend they buy a 67-marker STR test. After making their initial purchase, some people are then dismayed to find recommendations for further (more expensive) testing, such as the Big Y. The purpose of this post is to lay out the different levels of Y-DNA testing, the prices, and the reasoning behind my recommendations. Any listed prices are in US dollars. Please note that we may have access to coupon codes for further discounts on FTDNA tests.

STRs vs. SNPs: STRs and SNPs are two types of Y-markers that can be used to determine the relatedness of testers. STRs are cheaper to test, but less precise. SNPs are more definitive, but also more expensive. Our project uses both to figure out how branches of McFaddens are related.

STR Testing

STR results are given as a set of numbers. These numbers can go up or down as they are passed down from father to son. Analyzing which numbers men have in common can allow us to determine whether a relation exists and roughly estimate how long ago the common ancestor lived. We try to use STR results to make educated guesses about which SNPs men are positive for.

The most basic Y-DNA tests are 12- and 25-marker STR tests. These tests are no longer advertised by FTDNA because their value is extremely limited. Two people can be perfect 25/25 matches with each other and not be related within thousands of years. Hereditary surnames only came into existence within the past 1000 years, which makes 12- and 25-marker tests almost useless in terms of this project. People who have done these tests are more than welcome to join the project, however their results will not be included in any project research or analysis.

A 37-marker STR test is the minimum level of testing that can potentially be of use to the project. Sometimes it will be and sometimes it won’t be. Our largest cluster of McFaddens at the moment (R-M269 Group 4) has a very distinctive DNA signature that can usually be picked up with a 37-marker test, but this group accounts for less than a third of the project. Other groups like R-M269 Group 1 are not as distinctive and a 37-marker test is insufficient to conclusively demonstrate a relation. I include 37-marker tests in our research and analysis, but I encourage people to upgrade to 67 markers if possible. Cost of a Y37 test at FTDNA: $149 (on sale for $139 until the end of the year)

My standard recommendation for new testers is a 67-marker STR test. This level should be sufficient to determine whether a tester belongs to any of our established groups. It is also appropriate for anyone interested in the more recent history of their line (i.e. breaking down genealogical “brick walls”). I’ve chosen this as my go-to recommendation because I think it’s the best compromise of results vs. cost for people who aren’t ready to spend upwards of $500 on DNA testing. Cost of a Y67 test at FTDNA: $248 (on sale for $229)

It can be beneficial to the project for someone to take a 111-marker STR test, but the potential benefits are limited when compared to SNP testing. It is for that reason that even though it would be great for everyone to buy this test, I encourage people willing to spend the money to test 67 STR markers and put the rest of their cash towards SNP testing. Cost of a Y111 test at FTDNA: $339 (on sale for $319)

SNP Testing

SNPs are markers that can be unique to one man and his direct male descendants. Analyzing which markers men are positive for allows us to place them into a type of family tree and roughly estimate how long ago common ancestors lived.

It’s possible to test one SNP at a time, but this is the least efficient method of testing and should generally be avoided. The only case where it might be appropriate is if someone wants to confirm that they are in the same subclade as a close STR match. Cost of an individual SNP test at FTDNA: $39. Cost of an individual SNP test at YSEQ: $17.50.

SNP Packs are panels of up to 150 SNPs that allow a tester to significantly narrow down their confirmed haplogroup. Packs only test for known SNPs, which means they can only place someone into an already established subclade. They might have value in cases where nobody in a particular group has done advanced SNP testing. Cost of an SNP pack at FTDNA or YSEQ: $80-$150.

The Big Y is an advanced SNP test that examines thousands of known markers and also looks for SNP results that are unique to the tester. This is invaluable in helping the project sort out the various McFadden branches. I have previously given an overview of the Big Y here: The Big Y: What is it and why is it important? Cost of the Big Y at FTDNA: $575 (on sale for $525). Only people who have purchased an STR test are eligible to purchase the Big Y.

The most advanced Y-DNA test currently available is the Y Elite 2.1 from Full Genomes. It is also the most expensive, which is why I have hesitated to suggest that people purchase it. Ultimately we would need multiple Y Elite testers in order for it be more beneficial than the Big Y and it has been difficult enough just to find people to find people willing to buy a Y67! But if you wish to assist the project by buying a test and money is no object, the Y Elite is unquestionably the best you can do. Cost of the Y Elite 2.1 at Full Genomes: $795

Notes

– As always, please contact me with any questions. (rob@themcfaddenproject.com)
– We would rather have 10 people buy a 37-marker test than one person buy the Y Elite, so please don’t feel overwhelmed or unwanted if you’re only comfortable purchasing a lower-level test. We do want you! A Y37 test can be useful! The more people that test at any level, the better off this project will be.
– We have a small amount of cash available in our General Fund that we may be willing to put towards the purchase of someone’s Big Y test.
– To donate to our General Fund, click here: https://www.familytreedna.com/group-general-fund-contribution.aspx?g=McFadden.

]]>It’s been a while since my last update, so I thought it would be a good idea to give an overview of the DNA project and where we stand.

Goals

The purpose of the McFadden DNA Project is to use Y-DNA testing to learn more about the origins and history of the Gaelic surname Mac Pháidín and the various modern surnames derived from it (McFadden, Macfadyen, McFadzen, etc.). Y-DNA testing can demonstrate whether or not various lineages and spellings are genetically related and allow for rough estimates of these connections.

Participation

The McFadden Y-DNA project now has 46 participants: 30 men with the surnames McFadden, McFaddan, McFaddin, McFadyen, McFadzen, MacFadden; 15 men with the surnames Patterson, Paterson, Patton, Patten, Peadon, Peden, Paden, Peyton; and one man with the surname Hogan who appears to be descended from a McFadden lineage. While still relatively small, our project has doubled in size since I first signed on and continues to grow.

Established Lineages

A new group is formed every time two or more McFadden testers match each other. Thus far, we have discovered seven distinct McFadden lineage groups, some of which may be related to each other. Click here to view our results page at FTDNA: Project Results

R-M269 Group 1 – This lineage is of Colonial American origin. Its European origins are as yet unknown. This group may belong to haplogroup U106, though this is not confirmed. This group is unlikely to be genetically related to any of the other groups.

R-M269 Group 2 – This lineage is of Irish origin. Members of the group trace their lines back to Cootehill, Co. Cavan. This group may belong to haplogroup P312, though this is not confirmed. This group is unlikely to be genetically related to any of the other groups.

R-M269 Group 3 (M222+) – This lineage is of Irish origin. One line traces back to Co. Fermanagh while the others are descended from a Colonial American line of undetermined Irish origin. This group belongs to M222, a distinctly Gaelic haplogroup. This group may be related to other groups that are also M222+.

R-M269 Group 4a (M222+ DF105+ A10526+) – This lineage is of Irish origin. One line is from Co. Donegal while the others are of undetermined Irish origin. This group belongs to M222, a distinctly Gaelic haplogroup. Additionally, now that two members have taken the Big Y test, this group has its own unique haplogroup. This group is assumed to be related to R-M269 Group 4b. This group may also be related to other groups that are M222+.

R-M269 Group 4b (M222+ DF105+ A10526+) – This lineage is of Irish origin. One line is from Co. Donegal while the other is early-1800s American. This group belongs to M222, a distinctly Gaelic haplogroup. This group is assumed to be related to R-M269 Group 4a. This group may also be related to other groups that are M222+.

R-M269 Group 5 (M222+) – This lineage is of Irish origin. One line is from Co. Antrim while the other is of undetermined Irish origin. This group belongs to M222, a distinctly Gaelic haplogroup. This group may be related to other groups that are also M222+.

R-M512 Group 1 – No information yet available on this lineage. This group is not genetically related to any of the other groups.

In addition to the above groups, there are a number of men in the project who do not yet have a clear match with another person sharing their surname. This does not necessarily mean these men are unrelated to all of the above groups, just that it’s not currently possible to determine a connection through STR testing. Men who are without a group, particularly those deemed to be M222+, may wish to consider taking the Big Y.

What’s Next

– We continue to ask men with any surname derived from Mac Pháidín to join our project. The more people that join, the more we will be able to learn! More info: DNA Testing FAQ

– While men of any background are encouraged to participate, we are particularly hoping men with direct links to Scotland will get involved. Is your name Macfadyen, McFadzen, or one of the other distinctly Scottish variations? We want you!

]]>The first country-wide census of the newly independent United States of America took place in 1790. In 17 states, the names of heads of households were recorded and a count of their families was taken. Unfortunately, records for five of those states – Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, Tennessee – were later destroyed. I have gone through the indexes for the 12 remaining states and listed every head of household I found bearing the name of McFadden or variant.

It should be noted that there wasn’t an emphasis on spelling back then the way there is today, so the way a name was recorded in a census should not be considered the “correct” or “real” version. Most similar names were likely used interchangeably.

As with the list of Revolutionary War participants, the list of people found in the 1790 census will eventually be expanded upon with further biographical details. Any links to the DNA project will also be noted.

]]>Tomorrow is July 4th, American Independence Day, the 240th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In honor of the occasion, I have added a list of about 30 McFadden men who are known to have participated in the American Revolution:

]]>http://themcfaddenproject.com/mcfaddens-in-the-american-revolutionary-war/feed/0The Big Y: What is it and why is it important?http://themcfaddenproject.com/the-big-y-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important/
http://themcfaddenproject.com/the-big-y-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-important/#commentsThu, 23 Jun 2016 01:23:15 +0000http://themcfaddenproject.com/?p=481…

I have updated the project “Wish List” and recommended that every member who is in the R-M269 haplogroup and able to do so order the “Big Y” from FTDNA. This post is a brief explanation of what the Big Y is and why I’ve recommended it.

What is it?

The Big Y is a DNA test that looks for a type of marker known as an SNP. The Big Y tests for thousands of known SNPs, as well as as-yet-undiscovered SNPs that may be unique to you or your lineage.

Why is it important?

Some SNPs are unique to one man and his descendants, which means they can be used to not only prove or disprove a relation between lineages, but also to assemble a family tree of sorts. The following image is a good example (click on it to enlarge):

Unlike a typical family tree, the relations shown here span centuries. You can see that the 28 participants listed at the bottom have a variety of surnames – McFarlin, McFarland, MacFarlane, Farlin, etc. – yet the SNPs these men share show they are all descended from the same medieval man. This man is represented at the top of the tree by markers BY674 and BY675. The ability to prove how different lineages and differently spelled surnames are connected is invaluable when researching the history of a clan or name, especially in the case of our particular project where the origins are vague and ambiguous.

As more men with Mac Pháidín surnames (McFadden, Macfadyen, etc.) take the Big Y, we will be able to assemble a similar tree (or trees) of our own. We will also eventually be able to see if the various Mac Pháidín lines are descended from or related to other clans or families. I’m pleased to announce that we have already had two project members place an order for the Big Y.

Anyone who has already taken a 37-marker STR test at FTDNA can order the Big Y. Simply sign into your account and click the blue Upgrade button at the top right of your screen.

The Paddens were affiliated with and possibly descended from the Barretts of Tirawley, an Old English family that played a prominent role in medieval Mayo history. Like many Anglo-Normans that arrived in the 12th century, the Barretts assimilated into the native Irish culture, adopting the Gaelic name of Mac Wattin. It appears that Mac Wattin eventually evolved into Mac Padden, and this is the source of the Padden surname found in Mayo today.

]]>http://themcfaddenproject.com/the-paddens-of-mayo/feed/0Entering the realm of social mediahttp://themcfaddenproject.com/entering-the-realm-of-social-media/
http://themcfaddenproject.com/entering-the-realm-of-social-media/#commentsSun, 05 Jun 2016 17:13:53 +0000http://themcfaddenproject.com/?p=375The McFadden Project is now on Twitter and Facebook! Follow us to help spread the word.

Richard McFadden (1888-1916) was a Scottish athlete who came to prominence as the top scorer for English club Clapton Orient (now Leyton Orient). After the outbreak of World War I, McFadden and 40 other Orient team members and staff joined the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment (“The Football Battalion”) and went off to France. McFadden and two of his teammates were killed there at the Battle of the Somme.

The following excerpt was published Nov. 1, 1916 in The Liverpool Echo:

“Today I regret to say McFadden is lost to the game. He has died. He was not only a brilliant forward, but he was a hero. He gained the Military Medal for gallantry in action; a year or two ago rescued a child from burning; also saved two boys from drowning.”

“A tough, rather diminutive fellow, McFadden was a very strong dribbler. He could carry on his forward move, no matter what size the opposition was. I remember him very well in his first representative game. He attracted every one of the heads by his persistence, strength, and shooting power. To you who have not seen him I think I cannot better “screen” him than by likening him to Dan Shea of Blackburn and West Ham. I think I am right in saying that one of our local clubs went to a thousand pounds for his signature, but Clapton Orient – or McFadden – did not go on with the deal.”

]]>To this point, visitors to this web site have only been able to communicate via comments on these blog posts. This is incredibly inefficient and frustrating, so I have finally set up a message board where people can connect. Here is the link:

I will be disabling comments on the blog posts. I realize that may be annoying for people who have previously left comments, but I assure you this is better for everyone in the long run. Message board posts will be much easier to find and interact with than blog comments.

As with any new thing, there may be a few bugs to work out. Please let me know if you have any problems. I will allow comments on this particular post in case anyone has trouble registering on the board or e-mailing me.